The co-organization of OLE S.A. and HELMEPA highlighted the connection between shipping, green transition and vocational training through good practices and innovative ideas.
The Port of Elefsina welcomed fifty European experts, as part of the European project EXCEED, which aims to strengthen the Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) and to link education and the labour market through innovative skills development programmes. The visit took place on 17 October 2025 and was co-organised by Elefsina Port Authority (OLE) S.A.. and the HELMEPA, signaling a fruitful partnership between port development, shipping and green technology.
Emphasis on the green transition and the protection of the marine environment
In his greeting, the CEO of OLE S.A., Mr. Apostolos Kamarinakis, presented it important project of removing wrecks and dangerous ships from the sea zone of the Port of Elefsina — a flagship initiative, which environmentally and functionally upgrades the Gulf of Eleusis and the coastal front of the city.
The participants took a sea tour of the port facilities, gaining a direct insight into the environmental footprint of shipwrecks and the necessity of coordinated action for their removal.
Presentations – Dialogue – Exchange of know-how
In the hall of the Elefsina Port Steers Association, a series of thematic presentations and discussion followed on maritime innovation, the green transition and the transfer of know-how.
The following topics were presented:
🔹 “The prospects of additive manufacturing in shipping” – Dr. Dimitrios Armenis (ABS Technology)
🔹 "Innovation in maritime equipment and the contribution of the Greek cluster" – Christos Papakis (HEMEXPO)
🔹 "Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technologies in Shipping" – Alberto Di Cecio (ERMA FIRST)
🔹 “The institutional framework for decarbonizing shipping” – Vera Alexandropoulou (THALASSA Foundation / VA Law Greece)
The presentation of the METAVASEA project, coordinated by HELMEPA in collaboration with 18 other collaborating partners, also aroused particular interest. Konstantinos Triantafyllou and Froso DimitrakopoulouAiming at the human-centric green and digital transition of the maritime industry in the Eastern Mediterranean, the project has already trained 2.200 seafarers and executives of management companies and ports, contributing to their empowerment with new skills.
Also, the first official screening of the new video of the METAVASEA project took place to the members of the Elefsina Port Steers Association, which was prefaced by the President of the Association, Mr. Angelos Kyratzis.
You
watch the video at the link below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pitla_SzKu0
Eleusis as an example of transition
There was also a presentation on the topic "The Transfiguration of Eleusis: Mysteries of Transition» by Chrysa Martini and Maria Paouri (Eleusis 2023-European Capital of Culture), which highlighted the cultural and industrial transformation of the city.
The event was held with the support of the program “2023 Eleusis – European Capital of Culture” and the Municipality of Eleusis.
The EXCEED project
EXCEED is a European research project that creates a network of Centres of Professional Excellence in five countries, in the field of advanced manufacturing. It focuses on developing new skills, renewing curricula and disseminating innovation, enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of European industry.
HELMEPA, in collaboration with the “Athena” Research Center of the Athens University of Economics and Business, is participating in the establishment of the Center for Vocational Excellence for Shipping (Shipping CoVE) in Piraeus and Eleusis, creating a “bridge” between vocational education and the shipping industry, focusing on innovation, green transition and skills upgrading.
